For those wondering what to expect at a Monday night sangha meeting, here is a description of the ceremony performed as the evening's Bell Minder leads and invites the sangha to practice:
Mindfully walk to altar, bow, and kneel.
1. CANDLE LIGHTING: Light match and say while lighting candle:
Respectful of the countless buddhas,
I calmly light this candle,
brightening the face of the earth.
Invite the bell and enjoy it for three full, mindful breaths. Bow.
2. INCENSE LIGHTING: Light incense stick from candle (optional) and hold between fingers, with palms together at forehead and say:
Place incense in holder. Invite bell and enjoy it for three full, mindful breaths. Take the bell, stand, and bow to altar. Mindfully return to cushion, bench, or chair.We offer this incense in gratitude
to all buddhas and bodhisattvas
throughout space and time.
May it be fragrant as earth herself,
reflecting our careful efforts,
our wholehearted awareness,
and the fruit of understanding slowly ripening.
May we and all beings
be companions of buddhas and bodhisattvas.
May we awaken from forgetfulness
and transcend all anxiety and sorrow.
3. QUIET SITTING MEDITATION: Invite the bell and enjoy it for three full, mindful breaths.
Breathe mindfully and fill the bell with your heart saying:
Body, speech, and mind in perfect oneness,Invite the bell three times, each time enjoying it for three full, mindful breaths and then say:
I send my heart along with the sound of the bell.
May the hearers awaken from forgetfulness
and realize their true home.
Listen, listen,Sit for 20 minutes.
this beautiful sound
takes me back to the island within.
Wake the bell up and then invite the bell to end the sitting. People may wish to bow. Invite another bell for stretching. After everyone has stopped stretching, invite a bell for standing.
Invite the bell for bowing to each other.
Invite the bell for bowing to altar.
4. MINDFUL WALKING MEDITATION: Read a selection from Thay's "The Long Road Turns to Joy" or another selection on walking meditation. Invite the bell to signal the start of walking.
Walk mindfully for about 10 minutes.
Invite the bell to signal everyone to return and stand behind their seats. When everyone is in place, invite the bell for bowing to each other.
Invite the bell for bowing to the altar.
Ask everyone to be seated.
5. ANNOUNCEMENTS/CONCERNS Remember to ask for volunteers for Bell Minder and Door Minder for next week!
6. CEREMONY / READING / DHARMA SHARING (Click here for Dharma Sharing Guidelines)
7. CLOSING CIRCLE: Bring bell to center of circle for "All My Relations" and begin with a hand squeeze to the person on your left. When it seems that everyone is finished with his/her offerings, say a closing benediction of your choice, or any part or all of one of the meditations in the appendix. Invite the bell for bows to each other.
Invite the bell for bows to the altar.
Mindfully walk to altar...snuff candle..turn, and bow to others.
APPENDIX
METTA (LOVING KINDNESS) MEDITATIONS
THE NINE
May all beings be peaceful, happy, and light in body and spirit
May all beings be safe and free from injury
May all beings be free from anger, afflictions, fear, and anxiety
May all beings learn to look at themselves with the eyes of understanding and love
May all beings be able to recognize and nurture the seeds of joy and happiness in themselves
May all beings learn to identify and transform the seeds of anger, craving, and delusion in themselves.
May all beings know how to nourish the seeds of joy in themselves every day
May all beings be able to live fresh, solid, and free
May all beings be free from attachment and aversion, but not be indifferent
May all beings be safe and free from injury
May all beings be free from anger, afflictions, fear, and anxiety
May all beings learn to look at themselves with the eyes of understanding and love
May all beings be able to recognize and nurture the seeds of joy and happiness in themselves
May all beings learn to identify and transform the seeds of anger, craving, and delusion in themselves.
May all beings know how to nourish the seeds of joy in themselves every day
May all beings be able to live fresh, solid, and free
May all beings be free from attachment and aversion, but not be indifferent
A Shorter Alternative:
May all beings be safe and protected from inner and outer harm
May all beings be happy and peaceful of heart
May all beings be healthy and strong of body
May all beings take care of themselves joyfully in this world
May all beings be happy and peaceful of heart
May all beings be healthy and strong of body
May all beings take care of themselves joyfully in this world
May all beings awaken
May all beings be free
May all beings find peace
May all beings be free
May all beings find peace
Practicing the way of awareness
gives rise to benefits without limit.
We vow to share the fruits with all beings.
gives rise to benefits without limit.
We vow to share the fruits with all beings.